Pharmacology Basics

Definition and Scope

• Pharmacology is the study of the effects of drugs on living organisms
• It involves the study of the interactions between drugs and biological systems
• Scope includes:
  • Pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)
  • Pharmacodynamics (mechanisms of action, effects on the body)
  • Toxicology (adverse effects, poisoning)

Types of Drugs

• Pharmacological classification:
  • By mechanism of action (e.g., beta blockers, ACE inhibitors)
  • By therapeutic use (e.g., antibiotics, analgesics)
  • By chemical structure (e.g., beta lactams, sulfonamides)
• Drug categories:
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) drugs: available without prescription
  • Prescription drugs: require a prescription from a healthcare professional
  • Recreational drugs: used for non-medical purposes (e.g., alcohol, nicotine)

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption: process of drug uptake into the bloodstream
• Distribution: movement of drug from bloodstream to tissues
• Metabolism: breakdown of drug into inactive metabolites
• Excretion: elimination of drug from the body (e.g., kidney, liver)

Pharmacodynamics

• Mechanism of action: how a drug produces its effects
• Receptors: specific binding sites for drugs on cells
• Dose-response curve: relationship between drug dose and effect
• Therapeutic index: measure of a drug's safety and efficacy

Drug Interactions

• Pharmacokinetic interactions: alterations in absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion
• Pharmacodynamic interactions: alterations in drug effects
• Synergism: increased effect when two drugs are used together
• Antagonism: decreased effect when two drugs are used together

Definition and Scope

• Pharmacology is the study of the effects of drugs on living organisms
• It involves the study of the interactions between drugs and biological systems
• The scope of pharmacology includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and toxicology

Types of Drugs

• Drugs can be classified pharmacologically by mechanism of action, therapeutic use, or chemical structure
• Drug categories include over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, prescription drugs, and recreational drugs
• OTC drugs are available without prescription, while prescription drugs require a prescription from a healthcare professional
• Recreational drugs are used for non-medical purposes

Pharmacokinetics

• Absorption is the process of drug uptake into the bloodstream
• Distribution refers to the movement of drug from bloodstream to tissues
• Metabolism is the breakdown of drug into inactive metabolites
• Excretion is the elimination of drug from the body through kidney, liver, or other means

Pharmacodynamics

• Mechanism of action refers to how a drug produces its effects
• Receptors are specific binding sites for drugs on cells
• Dose-response curve shows the relationship between drug dose and effect
• Therapeutic index is a measure of a drug's safety and efficacy

Drug Interactions

• Pharmacokinetic interactions alter drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion
• Pharmacodynamic interactions alter drug effects
• Synergism is an increased effect when two drugs are used together
• Antagonism is a decreased effect when two drugs are used together